Value at Risk (VaR) is a risk management technique used to measure the maximum loss an investor may face on a given investment over a given time frame. VaR is expressed as a percentage, and is typically calculated to a 95% confidence level. This article explains what 95% VaR means, and how it is calculated.
What is 95% VaR?
95% VaR is a risk measure used to assess potential losses from investments. It helps identify the maximum amount of money that could be lost, at a given confidence level, over a particular period of time. 95% VaR is the most commonly used VaR measure, and is calculated to a 95% confidence level. This means that, over a given period, there is a 95% probability that the maximum loss faced by an investor will not exceed the 95% VaR measure.
How is 95% VaR Calculated?
The calculation of 95% VaR involves first determining the magnitude of the potential loss. This is based on assessing the probability of the worst-case scenario occurring. Historical data is then used to simulate the probability of a loss occurring. The data is then used to construct a probability distribution, which is then used to calculate the 95% VaR.
The 95% VaR is calculated as the negative of the value at which the probability of a loss exceeding that value is equal to 5%. This means that the 95% VaR represents the maximum amount of money that an investor could expect to lose over the given time period with a 95% confidence level.
In summary, 95% VaR is a risk measure used to assess potential losses from investments. It is calculated to a 95% confidence level, which means that there is a 95% probability that the maximum loss faced by an investor will not exceed the 95% VaR measure. The calculation of 95% VaR involves first determining the magnitude of the potential loss, which is based on assessing the probability of the worst-case scenario occurring. Historical data is then used to simulate the probability of a loss occurring, and this data is used to construct a probability distribution and calculate the 95% VaR.